Latest news with #UnionMinistryofRoadTransportandHighways
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Car sales decline for 4th consecutive month in May
Ahmedabad: The downward trend of passenger car sales in Gujarat continued in May 2025, primarily impacted by rising vehicle prices, restrained consumer sentiment, and the ripple effects of the recent stock market crash. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the latest data from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), four-wheeler registrations fell 4% year-on-year, from 24,847 units in May 2024 to 23,843 last month, marking the fourth consecutive month of slowing sales momentum. From steep price hikes to vanishing discounts, several headwinds are keeping first-time buyers away from showrooms. "The entry-level segment has virtually disappeared. The typical first-time buyer — usually opting for a hatchback or compact — is no longer walking in. Affordability is the key issue. Incomes didn't keep pace with car prices. The cheapest entry-level model at our showroom cost Rs 3.6 lakh (ex-showroom) in 2020; today, it's Rs 4.93 lakh," said Jigar Vyas, CEO of a city-based car dealership. "Frequent price hikes and mandatory safety upgrades like six airbags pushed up entry-level costs further," he added. Even India's largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, reported a 5.6% drop in overall domestic passenger vehicle sales in May, with its budget-friendly mini and compact models — including the Alto, WagonR, Swift, and Baleno — falling 12.6%. Dealers say the slump is largely concentrated in the mass segment, while premium and hybrid models continue to attract buyers. Rising demand for pre-owned vehicles is also denting sales of entry-level cars. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "With organised players entering the used-car space, buyers now have access to reliable, well-financed vehicles at lower costs. Many opt for a bigger pre-owned car instead of a new entry-level model at a similar price point," said Pranav Shah, chairperson of the Federation of Automobile Dealers' Associations (FADA) – Gujarat. Dealers further cited tensions between India and Pakistan as another factor behind consumer caution. "Many buyers didn't recover from market losses, and the geopolitical situation made them even more wary. Overall, spending remains very cautious," Shah added. Industry players are now pinning their hopes on Rath Yatra for car purchases. The sluggish sentiment extended to the two-wheeler segment, which grew just 1.8% in May—93,983 units sold versus 92,278 a year ago. Dealers expect rural sales to pick up in the coming months, aided by forecasts of a normal monsoon. (GFX sent to designers) Box: Vehicle Sales Category May-24 May-25 % Change Four-Wheeler 24,847 23,843 -4.0 Two-Wheeler 92,278 93,983 1.8 Source: MoRTH
New Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Political storm intensifies as MoRTH blacklists KNR Constructions over NH-66 collapse in Malappuram
KOCHI: The political storm over damage to portions of the NH-66 in the state showed no sign of easing even as the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on Thursday blacklisted Hyderabad-based KNR Constructions, holding it responsible for the collapse of the under-construction stretch at Kooriyad in Malappuram on May 19. In a strongly-worded remark against the Congress-led Opposition, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused it of politicising a project entirely managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). 'The LDF is being unfairly targeted for issues beyond its control. The land was acquired as a duty to the nation—there's no fault in that,' he said in Kollam. The reaction came on the heels of a scathing attack by Opposition leaders who accused the government of conveniently distancing itself from the fiasco. 'NH-66 had two fathers. After the collapse, it has become an orphan,' quipped Congress leader K Muraleedharan. In a release, the MoRTH said, 'Taking strict action against the concessionaire, NHAI has disallowed KNR Constructions Ltd from participating in ongoing/future bidding forthwith.' It said the Highway Engineering Consultant (HEC), entrusted with overseeing the widening of NH-66 into a six-lane facility on the stretch from Ramanatukkara to Valanchery bypass, has also been disallowed from participating in ongoing and future bidding. Two senior officials, one from each company, were placed under suspension. The action comes a day after a central team of experts, led by Professor G V Rao of IIT Delhi, visited the site and submitted a preliminary report to the ministry. The team will visit all problem areas on various stretches of NH-66 widening and submit a report to the MoRTH. 'We have received the order debarring the contractor from future tenders being floated by MoRTH, NHAI, NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd) and BRO (Border Roads Organisation). A couple of officials have been placed under suspension over the unfortunate incident,' said an official of NHAI, project implementation unit (PIU)-Palakkad.
NDTV
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Ola Roadster X Electric Motorcycle's Delivery Delayed: Here's Why
Ola, the Indian electric two wheeler manufacturer had launched the Roadster X series in February, this year. The brand's first ever electric motorcycle was slated to commence delivery from March 2025. However, Ola has now confirmed that the delivery of the Roadster X will now begin in May. The exact reason for Ola's delay in the delivery of the Roadster X is not known. However, it is likely to be due to the brand's homologation process delay. While not a single model of the Roadster X has been sold since the launch, the brand mentioned 1,395 bookings as unit sales in February. Later, the brand admitted the same in a letter to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The Ola Roadster X gets two variants in the catalogue, namely- X and X+. The X trim gets three battery packs, as options- 5 kWh, 3.5 kWh, and 4.5 kWh battery. The X trim boasts a top speed of 118 kmph and throttles from 0-40 kmph in just 3.1 seconds. Also, the bigger battery trim claims a total range of 252 kms in a single charge. Talking about the high-spec X+ variant, it gets a 4.5 kWh and a 9.1 kWh battery pack as options. The Ola Roadster X+ offers a top speed of 125 kmph and can shoot from 0-40 kmph in just 2.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack is claimed to deliver a range of 252 km, while the larger battery pack boasts 501 km of range on a single charge. Also Read: The prices of the Ola Roadster X starts from Rs 89,999 (ex-showroom). However, as part of the introductory price offers customers can get it at Rs 74,999 (ex-showroom).
New Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Centre's nod sought for Singanallur flyover in Coimbatore
COIMBATORE: After years of delays and design revisions, the long-pending flyover project at Singanallur junction on Tiruchy Road in Coimbatore is finally inching forward. The National Highways wing of the State Highways Department has submitted a revised estimate of Rs 180 crore to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, seeking approval and funding to kickstart construction. The Singanallur junction, a notorious traffic bottleneck, was one of three critical intersections in the city identified as 'black spots' due to frequent snarls and accidents. Along with Saravanampatti and Saibaba Colony, it was shortlisted for flyover construction to decongest key arterial roads and streamline vehicle movement in the rapidly growing city. The initial proposal, approved back in 2022, pegged the project cost at Rs 110.8 cr. However, it ran into repeated hurdles — first due to overlapping plans with the proposed Metro Rail project and later because of a lack of bidders. The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) had recommended shelving the flyover works at all three locations, citing that the alignments clashed with routes planned for the upcoming metro. The suggestion triggered public backlash, with residents and activists demanding that road infrastructure projects not be sacrificed for plans still on paper. In response to public pressure, the state government decided to retain the flyover projects at Singanallur and Saibaba Colony, as the first phase of the Metro is planned along the Sathyamangalam and Avinashi roads, not Tiruchy Road. Tenders were issued for both projects, but while the Saibaba Colony flyover gained traction, the Singanallur flyover failed to attract credible bidders.
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Infrasrtructure, policy hurdles slow down EV adoption in Kerala
KOLLAM: The sale of electric vehicles (EVs) in Kerala is on a rocky road. Once on the surge, EV adoption in the state has dropped considerably this year, as well as in 2024, for reasons ranging from high costs and insufficient charging infrastructure to absence of government incentives as well as alleged red tapism. Data from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways revealed that EV sales in the state dropped from 75,808 units in 2023 to 60,345 in 2024. Kerala was ranked 10th among other states in EV sales last year. Moreover, this year, only 7,906 EVs were sold until April 29, a steep drop from 29,892 EVs sold during the same period last year, taking the state to the 11th spot in India. Industry experts attributed the slowdown to several factors, including high upfront costs, inadequate charging infrastructure, persistent range anxiety, and lack of strong government incentives. Limited access to public and home charging stations, especially in rural areas where installation is costlier and more complex, also remained a concern. Reji M, the president of Electric Vehicle Owners Kerala, which has installed 45 EV charging stations across Kerala, criticised the state government's alleged lack of initiative and cited bureaucratic hurdles within the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) as a major roadblock for EV adoption. People waiting for EV price drop: Industry observers 'Setting up a charging station requires their (KSEB's) permission, and the process is often delayed, especially over pricing nod. Some KSEB officials are supportive, others not so. On several occasions, KSEB has directed us to set up a 100 kW station when we intended to install 30 kW one. For stations 60 kW and above, they demand we install our own transformer. This can cost over Rs 6 lakh,' Reji told TNIE . He said the government is now raising the tax on EVs. 'On the one hand, there's no infrastructure. On the other, it is increasing people's financial burden. How can EV adoption sustain in Kerala when states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu offer 0% tax? This shows the government doesn't want EVs to grow in Kerala. And we cannot accept that,' he said. KSEB sources responded that clearances for 30 kW stations are generally processed within a day or two, but admitted to delays for higher-capacity stations. 'Setting up 60 kW charging stations requires transformers. It is either installed by the KSEB if the private party pays, or the latter can do it themselves. If KSEB installs the transformer, it takes 15 to 20 days. Some of our own stations, especially those set up with Chinese firm OKAI for promotional use, are non-functional at present due to increased load. Later, we set up our own charging stations across Kerala. Some have malfunctioned and work on them is on. They will be functional soon,' said a KSEB source. Industry observers say consumers are also waiting for price drops, contributing to the sluggish sales. In Kerala, EVs cost between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 20 lakh, while the price of petrol and diesel vehicles starts from around Rs 4.5 lakh. 'People love EVs but find them expensive compared to internal combustion vehicles. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said EV prices would soon match those of petrol vehicles. So, customers are waiting, hoping for better pricing and infrastructure. Sale may pick up again, but the issues with charging stations and bureaucratic red tape remain serious concerns,' said Joel Yohannan, general manager at GOEC, an EV charging network in Kerala.
